On the big screen: "The Jungle Book"

The film has a terrific pace that is constantly filled with thrilling action, comedy and heart.

“The Jungle Book” is the latest film by diverse actor-director Jon Favreau, (“Iron Man,” “Elf,” “Chef”) and you can immediately see this was a passion project.

“The Jungle Book” is a live-action film based on the stories of Rudyard Kipling, and in some ways is a remake of the original, but the tone is very different. It is the story of Mowgli as he grows up in the jungle speaking and living with the jungle animals, some who wish him harm. What follows is an intense action adventure that is sure to thrill audiences.

The cast of voice actors includes Scarlett Johansson, Bill Murray, Ben Kingsley, Idris Elba, Christopher Walken and newcomer Neel Sethi as Mowgli. Each of these actors bring personalities to their characters.

My favorite part about this film is the lengths Favreau and his effects team went to make this movie immersive. The scenery is incredible, with lush jungles and fantastic-looking rendered animals.

The film was shot in Los Angeles with green screens. It is an impressive feat, as the animals they have designed blur the line between fiction and reality. They digitally rendered the animals and used motion capture for the speaking parts, showing Favreau’s dedication to using advanced technology.

If you are looking for a jungle adventure thrill ride for the whole family, make sure to check out “The Jungle Book” in theaters (I recommend trying to see it in 3D because that is the format Favreau designed this film for).

On a press speaking event about the Jungle Book Jon Favreau said, “And [usually] big action spectacles are the only films that seem to make studios comfortable enough to use this level of artistry and technology in storytelling. And so the unique opportunity I’ve had is to use it for humor and emotion and showing nature and showing animals and getting into that real deep mythic imagery that I think always marries well with technology and always has.”

I think he was right.

Zach Howe is a Plant City movie buff who wants to encourage people to see great films.